Fee for Intervention (FFI) is a cost-recovery scheme used by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If an HSE inspector visits your workplace and identifies a serious breach of health and safety law, your business may need to pay for the time spent investigating and resolving the issue. Understanding Fee for Intervention (FFI) helps businesses avoid unexpected costs and strengthen workplace safety.
Many organisations assume an HSE visit automatically results in charges. However, this is not the case. If your business complies with health and safety requirements, you will not receive an FFI charge. Instead, the scheme only applies when an inspector identifies a material breach, meaning a significant failure to meet legal obligations.
According to the HSE, FFI ensures that businesses responsible for serious breaches cover the cost of intervention rather than taxpayers. Therefore, organisations that actively manage safety risks can avoid these additional expenses.
When Does Fee for Intervention Apply?
HSE inspectors only apply FFI if they identify a material breach of health and safety law. As a result, they may issue a written notification explaining:
✔️ What health and safety law has been breached
✔️ Why the issue is serious
✔️ What action does the business need to take
If an inspector only provides advice, no fee applies.
How Much Can FFI Cost?
HSE currently charges an hourly rate for time spent addressing a material breach. This can include:
- Time spent on-site at your workplace
- Investigation and report preparation
- Follow-up meetings and discussions
- Specialist advice where required
- Further enforcement activity
Consequently, costs can increase quickly, depending on the issue’s complexity and the time required to resolve it.
Why Does FFI Matter for Small Businesses?
For SMEs, especially, unexpected costs can have a significant impact. In addition, dealing with investigations and corrective actions takes time away from daily operations.
Strong health and safety systems help businesses:
✔️ Reduce workplace risks
✔️ Improve safety culture
✔️ Protect employees and contractors
✔️ Avoid costly enforcement action
✔️ Strengthen business resilience
Many organisations see health and safety as a compliance task. However, effective safety management delivers wider business benefits. It protects your people, supports operational continuity, and reduces financial risk.
The key message remains simple: if you comply, you do not pay.
At Alpha Swanson, we help organisations create practical systems that support compliance while strengthening day-to-day business performance.
To learn more about HSE’s Fee for Intervention scheme, visit the HSE guidance page: HSE Fee for Intervention Guidance
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Also, take a read about why your ISO should align with your business plan, rather than sit beside it!